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The Rolling Stones — Can't You Hear Me Knocking
Album: Sticky Fingers
Avg rating:
8.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 5450









Released: 1971
Length: 7:11
Plays (last 30 days): 3
Yeah, you got satin shoes
Yeah, you got plastic boots
Y'all got cocaine eyes
Yeah, you got speed-freak jive

Can't you hear me knockin' on your window
Can't you hear me knockin' on your door
Can't you hear me knockin' down your dirty street, yeah

Help me baby, ain't no stranger
Help me baby, ain't no stranger
Help me baby, ain't no stranger

Can't you hear me knockin', ahh, are you safe asleep?
Can't you hear me knockin', yeah, down the gas light street, now
Can't you hear me knockin', yeah, throw me down the keys
Alright now

Hear me ringing big bell tolls
Hear me singing soft and low
I've been begging on my knees
I've been kickin', help me please
Hear me prowlin'
I'm gonna take you down
Hear me growlin'
Yeah, I've got flatted feet now, now, now, now
Hear me howlin'
And all, all around your street now
Hear me knockin'
And all, all around your town
Comments (680)add comment
I'd love to see a list of songs that equal this tune as greatest rock song ever...
come on listeners!!
One of their best...
 eileenomurphy wrote:

My favorite tune on this album!!! ...definitely a "10"! ....the entire album is great!



Agreed - 100% !
uhhmmm .. and I was impressed by the real zip on the vinyl album sleeve lol
- little things please little minds I guess.
While people gush all over the opening riff (which is great) they seem to forget that the iconic guitar solo at the end interplayed with the sax is the genius of Mick Taylor. Keith is a riff guy, but was never an iconic lead soloist.
the opening guitar riffs

where the come from

Well, this was a most excellent way to start my day. You can hear the joy in this take. :)
 KudaRey wrote:

One of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time. And I do not say that lightly. If the Stones brought this song out today, it would still kick ass. How many 47 year old songs can you say that about?




I Agree completely!  Thanx RP!  
The ULTIMATE Rock & Roll song...
For people who just can't get enough of the same guitar lick over and over again.... Not a hater -- just think Keefer could have pulled something more interesting out his bag.... I think their latest album absolutely rocks by the way -- production quality is like nothing I've ever heard on a Stones album before.
NEW STONES!!!
OK call me crazy, you wouldn't be the first.  I would like to hear Samantha Fish cover this tune.  She has a superb contralto voice & she is a fantastic guitar player!
Ohhhh thank you so much RP! You just made my day! 
 lily34 wrote:

you're right William - Keith does know how to start a song really, really well.

one of my favorite beginnings.




YES!  Also, the jam at the end, is one of my FAVORITE ENDINGS!!!   
you're right William - Keith does know how to start a song really, really well.

one of my favorite beginnings.
Just posting to oust the devil from the Comment header (666)
Bill G: "One of the things Keith Richards really knows how to do ... is start a song."

Amen, brother.  Mr Richards' guitar licks will last for years and years.
Sometimes I think, I can't keep listening to the same music I've been listening to for the last 50 years over and over again, can I? And then stuff like this comes up and I think, yeah I can
Roger WILCO
 KudaRey wrote:

One of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time. And I do not say that lightly. If the Stones brought this song out today, it would still kick ass. How many 47 year old songs can you say that about?

I Agree Completely!  Thanx RP!  

This was the album with the big Zipper that you open to see their  Red Tongue logo. 
My FAVORITE Stones tune!!  Thanx RP!   
Add great bass playing to all the other compliments this great song deserves.
 

mattenuttall wrote:

There is a brief pause - kind of a missing note - after Keith's "open-G tuned" intro to this song. Jagger just can't resist, and he lets out a barely audible grunt right where the missing note should be.

I had to listen to this song LOUD several thousand times before I noticed this, but it was time well spent.





A brief pause, yes.
But there is no missing note, bud.



wow
 KudaRey wrote:

One of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time. And I do not say that lightly. If the Stones brought this song out today, it would still kick ass. How many 47 year old songs can you say that about?


Quite a lot of 'em, if Bill and the RP fans are any judge. 1967-1971 contained more Rock and roll kick-assedness than any other 5-year period.
 sfyi2001 wrote:

NO riff in rock has the impact of Keith Richards' opening smack here.
None.



Satisfaction had quite the impact.
How can a song be so raw and so polished at the same time? Genius!
Bobby Keys sax!!! Best jam ever!
Oh yeah, and Keith and Mick and Charlie at their best!
Best Stones' song ever! It was never supposed to be that long but most of you probably know the story.
Genius of Mick Taylor's guitar playing, he really played on all of their best albums, sadly under-rated guitar player.
Big 10 for this one.
Wish they did more like this, esp with the sax
 KudaRey wrote:

One of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time. And I do not say that lightly. If the Stones brought this song out today, it would still kick ass. How many 47 year old songs can you say that about?


The greatest.
oh man.....those opening guitar riffs  

nobody else comes close 
Would rather hear this 500 times in row vs. another play of "You Can't Always Get What You Want".
3 top performances in the second part: Mick Taylor, Bobby Keys and Charlie Watts. Excellent!
Tied for best studio Electric Guitar Solo ever, alongside Gilmour on Comfortably Numb{{{IMNSHO)))

Could be wrong, but I doubt it!
I could listen to this song 4 times a day for the rest of my life and it would never get old!
Yeah, this is awesome
 HStaples wrote:

This was my first album ever. I remember getting it as a present from a good friend. I was perhaps all of 12 or so. My parents were SHOCKED at the album cover. Mine had the actual fly built into the thing, and the cover flipped out to reveal the tighty whities. I regret very little in life, but not hanging onto that damn LP is one of them. One of the best albums ever.



I was a little bit young to understand the album cover, but remember as a pre-teen undoing the zipper in the local Kresge's store. I was quite fascinated  
 ppopp wrote:

World's most over-rated singer. Second-best average band of all time (behind U2).


So says someone with the handle "ppopp".  Long live Justin Bieber.
This was my first album ever. I remember getting it as a present from a good friend. I was perhaps all of 12 or so. My parents were SHOCKED at the album cover. Mine had the actual fly built into the thing, and the cover flipped out to reveal the tighty whities. I regret very little in life, but not hanging onto that damn LP is one of them. One of the best albums ever.
geeeeez...is that the greatest electric guitar work ever for an intro?
 coloradojohn wrote:

This particular song is way up there in my regard, perhaps even my all-time favorite by them... There is something so raw, so wild here, even just the way the guitar commences to SHRED so early on -- and it only gets wilder! That sensational sax part, wow -- even when I was just a little kid and heard that on the radio, I was like, Whoah...cool... Thanks, RP, for playing another quintessential, timeless, rocking JAM!




I Agree!! On ALL counts!!  
 eileenomurphy wrote:
GREAT!!! ICONIC!!! I bought this album right after it was released. This was my favorite tune on the album!! It is even better now, in FLAC w/ great studio phones, amp & DAC!  



I Agree!! Same here!!      
Clone Mick and Keef now!
This particular song is way up there in my regard, perhaps even my all-time favorite by them... There is something so raw, so wild here, even just the way the guitar commences to SHRED so early on -- and it only gets wilder! That sensational sax part, wow -- even when I was just a little kid and heard that on the radio, I was like, Whoah...cool... Thanks, RP, for playing another quintessential, timeless, rocking JAM!
Stone’s finest.  
 eileenomurphy wrote:

Great impromptu, unplanned jam at the end!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




YOU BET!!!!!
 eyke wrote:

Big thanks to BillG for having a FLAC feed so I can really appreciate how delicate Mr. Watts' cymbal strokes were on the outro; that and the sense of space.

It's like two songs, the first RnR, Mick Jaggar strut, then the jazzy ending that seems to last longer then the verses. 

RIP Charlie. 




I Agree!!
Big thanks to BillG for having a FLAC feed so I can really appreciate how delicate Mr. Watts' cymbal strokes were on the outro; that and the sense of space.

It's like two songs, the first RnR, Mick Jaggar strut, then the jazzy ending that seems to last longer then the verses. 

RIP Charlie. 
Saxaphone!!!!!!!!!
EXCELLENT!!!!!   ICONIC!!!!!
Rock, R&B, and Jazz in one massively great tune…
Great impromptu, unplanned jam at the end!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
still some of the best guitar playing
Smokin' sax!!  
Wow...is this the Foo Fighters?

I see on MTV that they are a "legendary" band!!!!

Too bad the Rolling Stones don't receive such well-qualified accolades.  

Ha ha ha ha ha!!!!! 
Charlie W at his best..
 KudaRey wrote:

One of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time. And I do not say that lightly. If the Stones brought this song out today, it would still kick ass. How many 47 year old songs can you say that about?


3074 songs rated...36 rates 10...this is one of them. 
This song gets a very rare 10 from me!
Oh how I wish there was a live 20 min version where they just jam!
Thanks for The Rolling Stones set Bill.  I was digging on the Bobby Keys saxophone work, only to find out Charlie Watts had passed.  A true rhythm force of nature.  We all mourn his passing
Thanks Bill for mentioning Charlie Watts.
Damn it. now I have to go to a meeting... Why does work have to get in the way of music?
Just listening to the drums on this, which I never really did before. 
 midigitguy wrote:

so disappointed to read the lyrics as:

Yeah, you got satin shoes
Yeah, you got plastic boots

I always heard it as "nasty boots" not plastic boots. 
That visual works much better for me :)




I''ll be damned. I thought all these years that it was "...nasty boots" too. I like our version better. If only Mick and Keith had our input all those years ago...
They mighta' really gotten somewhere. :-)
1971 started as a bit of a bummer for music. The 60s was defiantly over and the Beatles had broken up. Then this album came out and the whole scene exploded. You can lose track of all the classic albums released in 1971 but I will fight anyone who says it was not the best year for music bar none.
 KudaRey wrote:

One of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time. And I do not say that lightly. If the Stones brought this song out today, it would still kick ass. How many 47 year old songs can you say that about?




"Tiptoe Through the Tulips" by Tiny Tim?
I was 9 or 10 when this song came out. For reasons I can't fully explain, I never really "got" the Stones until I was somewhere in my 30's.  These days, right on the bleeding edge of 60, what can I say -- my appreciation for their music only grows and grows.

It took me a while, but I got there as soon as I could ...    
--Radiotoe
If you're not going to buy that guitar kid, put it back in the rack.
 Montreal_Mort wrote:

So sad for you pbouchar. You seem to be all by yourself - have fun by yourself in the corner ... I’m with the rest of the gang, esp. KudaRey - this is one of the greatest RnR songs. Ever. Period



100% agree w/Montreal_Mort.  Also, if I could give it a 25 I would!!!
So sad for you pbouchar. You seem to be all by yourself - have fun by yourself in the corner ... I’m with the rest of the gang, esp. KudaRey - this is one of the greatest RnR songs. Ever. Period
Rated this “Ho Hum.” That’s about as high a rating as the Stones will ever get from me.
so disappointed to read the lyrics as:

Yeah, you got satin shoes
Yeah, you got plastic boots

I always heard it as "nasty boots" not plastic boots. 
That visual works much better for me :)
 KudaRey wrote:
One of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time. And I do not say that lightly. If the Stones brought this song out today, it would still kick ass. How many 47 year old songs can you say that about?
 

How many people have gotten off over the album cover?
Best guitar intro ever played. That said, the horns kind of kill the vibe after the bridge.  
Don't get me wrong, I love horns but the charts for this tune kind of miss the mark. Too much sax, needs some trumpet punch ala the Memphis horn section at Stax Records as masterfully used by Booker T and the MG's.  
A beautiful wall of noise
A tsunami if you will indulge me
that helped to sweep me up off the ground
in the middle of my youth
and send me soaring to heights undreamed of

Kinda wonder how such a short time (song duration) can be so long
Long Live Rock and Roll
Great song that makes you wish the Stones had "stretched out" on a few more of their songs.
Mick Taylor came to Ontario Place around 1986, opening for John Mayall, and didn't play a *single* Stones song, understandably because he was probably forbidden under threat of deathly copyright consequences. But there, near the end of his set, during an extended jam, he launched into the "da da da daaa da" from his solo in this song. The effect was like electricity through the audience, the tension finally broken. 

This song has always demonstrated for me, with the best lead guitarist in place that the Stones ever had, the epitome of what the Stones were, are, and will be.
My favourite Stones song on my favourite Stones album. You can just feel the grease and the sleaze and the drugs.
9 > 10 they really don't get much better.
 iloveradio wrote:
The saxophonist died in the last year or so. He was the soul of this song. Don’t remember his name.
 
Bobby Keys, Died 2014.

Greetings from Bavaria to all the listeners  outside. Stay safe.
The saxophonist died in the last year or so. He was the soul of this song. Don’t remember his name.
Bill, could you please start over from the beginning. I was feeling faint and missed it.
 khardog145 wrote:
One of the best hooks in rock n roll.  I see that I made a similar comment below.  Oh well.
 
It's all good brother...cuz it's that good! LLRP!
The best rock song of all time!
One of the best hooks in rock n roll.  I see that I made a similar comment below.  Oh well.
My favorite tune on this album!!! ...definitely a "10"! ....the entire album is great!
9 and I don’t even like the Stones. I was always a Beatles man because I was born in 1955 and the Beatles seemed to play nicer than the Stones. Play as in kids play not musically.
 MarcG wrote:
Agreed, it’s the break that changes it completely for me , every time I hear it I am surprised by it.

 

 KudaRey wrote:
One of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time. And I do not say that lightly. If the Stones brought this song out today, it would still kick ass. How many 47 year old songs can you say that about?
 

 folkes.tom wrote:
There are songs that scream R 'n R.  This is one of them.  This gets an 11. I don't know if is still the case but the volume on BBC radio did go to 11.
 
I noticed this too. Perhaps BBC is giving a nod to "This is Spinal Tap"?
There is a brief pause - kind of a missing note - after Keith's "open-G tuned" intro to this song. Jagger just can't resist, and he lets out a barely audible grunt right where the missing note should be.

I had to listen to this song LOUD several thousand times before I noticed this, but it was time well spent.
Don't know why I gave a 9, bumped to an all deserving 10, wish I had an 11! What a classic!
SO good!  Turn it all the way up!!!
One of many "10s" from the "World's Greatest  Rock n Roll Band",
long live the Stones !
 
Without a doubt one of the best rock songs ever performed. The Stones at their undeniable best. Thanks dudes.
There are songs that scream R 'n R.  This is one of them.  This gets an 11. I don't know if is still the case but the volume on BBC radio did go to 11.
 slates13 wrote:
Yes a 10!

 

 aspicer wrote:
Ok FINE - not a 9 - a 10!
 

Ok FINE - not a 9 - a 10!
Can't You Hear Me Knocking?

Dave's not here man ....
One can easily peg the Stones as a rock and roll bar band (what a great bar!) then you hear this and remember how many facets there were, what a great rhythm section they were, etc. Great tune.
Is it a software glitch...…..been waiting now 5 min......nothing.
if I hit the forward key it will move on but than I miss the really good song that's waiting in the Q.....Seems to always happen when a really great song comes up......hummm
Every time the station plug happens.....the following song just set's there in limbo,,,,,,this is so frustrating......
Quite possibly the perfect rock-n-roll song!
 KudaRey wrote:
One of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time. And I do not say that lightly. If the Stones brought this song out today, it would still kick ass. How many 47 year old songs can you say that about?
 

Outstanding album, Outstanding track, used in great movies as well. Memories of the album at the record store, the zipper tearing the cellophane - Classic Stones.
Don't worry about it too much. It's here in my collection...safe and sound!

 
KENRX72 wrote:
Damn, Still pissed! Had the original album with working zipper and the whole "smear", pun intended. Very risky in it's day but someone thought they should have it and it disappeared in a blue haze back in about 74ish.  
 

So fine. Mmm-mmm. Pfffft pfffft *cough*  'ere. Passing it to you.

NO riff in rock has the impact of Keith Richards' opening smack here.
NONE.

Recorded in March & May, 1970 and released April 23, 1971 on the album STICKY FINGERS
Lead Vocals: Mick Jagger
Electric Guitars: Keith Richards & Mick Taylor 
Drums: Charlie Watts
Bass: Bill Wyman
Backing Vocals: Keith Richards
Saxophone: Bobby Keys
Congas: Rocky Dijon
Percussion: Jimmy Miller
Organ: Billy Preston












Damn, Still pissed! Had the original album with working zipper and the whole "smear", pun intended. Very risky in it's day but someone thought they should have it and it disappeared in a blue haze back in about 74ish.  
One of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time. And I do not say that lightly. If the Stones brought this song out today, it would still kick ass. How many 47 year old songs can you say that about?
 h8rhater wrote:

The load was shared.  Keith early.  Mick late. 

...and the song doesn't exist without The Riff.

 
Agreed.

'The Riff' is the open G tuned guitar played by Keith with heavy distortion. I believe it's Mick on the cleaner solo in standard tuning. Great tune and a lot of fun to play.
 tonyckeller wrote:
Am I the only one who can hear Butterfield Blues Band in this. I love it but I think it is too similar to be coincidence. Cant remember the name of the BBB track though.
 
It's got a similar feel to "East-West"; different notes.
 drjimmy wrote:

It was Mick Taylor who carried the heavy guitar load on this tune.
 
The load was shared.  Keith early.  Mick late. 

...and the song doesn't exist without The Riff.
 a_genuine_find wrote:
With a Fuzz pedal and an open tuned Strat, this song is A LOT OF FUN
 
Yess indeed!!!
With a Fuzz pedal and an open tuned Strat, this song is A LOT OF FUN
Ahhhhh yesssssssss.....Mmmmmm. This following any track from the Allman Bros.Fillmore East. A sinful pleasure.
 tonyckeller wrote:
Am I the only one who can hear Butterfield Blues Band in this. I love it but I think it is too similar to be coincidence. Cant remember the name of the BBB track though.
 
East West
Excellent Classic album. This tune, Sister Morphine and Sway. 10.
Am I the only one who can hear Butterfield Blues Band in this. I love it but I think it is too similar to be coincidence. Cant remember the name of the BBB track though.